The mountain peak of the writings of the Apostle Paul can, in my opinion, be found in chapter Fifteen of 1 Corinthians where he articulates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This passage of scripture written by Paul is unsurpassed in telling us about the importance of this most miraculous event. The Gospels tell the actual story of the resurrection, but Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 gives us some valuable information we need in order for us to more fully grasp what actually happened.
Today, Easter, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! Aren’t you glad that we have the resurrection? What hope would there be for any of us if there were no resurrection from the dead? I am eternally grateful that we are a people of life and not death. I believe that truly saved people automatically hold onto the precious doctrine of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Why would a saved person ever have the inclination to deny this heavenly event, but yet there are some who do so. We Christians are the only people in the whole world who celebrate this wonderful miracle of God known as the Resurrection.
The Bible is clear when it says that one must believe in the resurrection to be saved….Romans 10:9-10. I have no problem with the resurrection. I hold dearly to it as my source of security for eternal life. For in defeating death, Jesus has given all of his people the promise that death will not be victorious over them. It cannot hold them. Everything that we are resides on the historical event of the Resurrection of Jesus. Without it we have no hope and no foundation for eternal life. You cannot take the resurrection lightly no matter what the world says about it. It is not just some spectacular appendage to the life story of Jesus. It is God’s seal of approval upon the life, work and sacrifice of His Son. Everything rides on the Resurrection.
Nothing we can say about the resurrection is more profound than the event. So, we are always in danger of diminishing the Resurrection as we attempt to speak about it. Safety lies in the fact that we will rely only on Scripture for our information and not on the oratorical skills of any preacher or commentator.
The Jesus Seminar (a collection of liberal, disbelieving minds) says “the body of Jesus probably decayed as do all corpses.” They say that the resurrection of Jesus was not something that happened on the first Easter Sunday; “it was not an event that could have been captured by a video camera.” My reaction to this is this:
“Whoever said God would have wanted to capture in on video even if a camera had been there. He wants it to be a matter of faith in His Word!”
The Moderator of the United Church in Canada said this…”I don’t believe Jesus was God, but I’m no theologian. I don’t believe Jesus is the only way to God. I don’t believe He rose from the dead as scientific fact. I don’t know whether these things happened. It’s an irrelevant question.” Friends, I want to say that it is NOT an irrelevant question. Is it irrelevant to you? Absolutely not or you would not be investing your time in reading this article. Did the statement of the Moderator of the United Church of Canada find a place in your heart or were you offended by it? Your answer to that question will give you a good indication of where you stand with God.
What was it that turned Peter from one who denied Jesus into one who died preaching the faith. What was it that changed Saul into Paul on the Damascus Road? What changed him from a persecutor into a preacher? What changed James from doubting his brother Jesus into the dynamic pastor of the Jerusalem church? What caused all the disciples to be willing to die a martyr’s death? It was that they encountered the Living Lord Jesus Christ after His resurrection! And, that’s what will change lost people today. That’s what has changed all those who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
When Jesus got through with Saul on the road to Damascus, Saul had no doubt about who was the Lord of his life. And the same Lord Jesus is still dealing with lives today. Is he speaking to you? Is he making Himself known to you? Remember, He changed others and He will change you too!
Yes, The Most Crucial Point in the History of the World was the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead!
Reverend William (Bill) Harrell has been in ministry 48 years. He served as the pastor of Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez, GA for over 30 of those years. He can be reached at wfh@williamfharrell.com. You can also check out his blog at www.williamfharrell.com
